Refrigerating package



y 11, 1955 J. T. WALDRON 3,182,884-

REFRIGERATING PACKAGE Filed Oct. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: \TACK T. WALBEON paw ATTORNEY May 11, 1965 J- T. WALDRON REFRIGERATING PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1962 INVENTOR: JAcK T WALDEON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,182,884 REFRIGERATING PACKAGE Jack T. Waldron, Covina, Califl, assignor to Sonoco Products Company, Hartsville, Darlington, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Oct. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 230,797 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) This invention relates to a refrigerating package and more particularly to a package or carrier for packaging articles such as beverage containers together with a suitable refrigerating medium such as ice for the articles.

The pleasure of outdoor activities such as camping, picnicking, and the like is considerably enhanced by the provision of thirst quenching beverages, particularly those beverages which are most appealing and satisfying when consumed cold. Many beverages available today, such as soft drinks, beer, and the like are packaged in cylindrical cans which are usually packed in ice'within an insulated container to be transported to the point of consumption so as to be available for consumption in a cooled condition when desired. These insulated containers or chests are generally of large size making them awkward to handle and are characterized by a relatively high initial cost which, for practical purposes, means that they must be brought back when empty and stored for relatively long periods as a result of their infrequent use, particularly between seasons. These containers, which are generally composed of metal or the like, deteriorate through non-use and neglect and the use to which they are put does not often justify their initial cost. On the other hand, the cartons used today by merchants for merchandising bottled and canned beverages serve only as a means for handling a plurality of such containers as a unit and contribute in no way towards maintaining the beverage containers in a refrigerated condition even when the beverage containers are purchased cold.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a package for a plurality of articles such as beverage containers or the like which additionally serves as a refrigerating package for these articles. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel refrigerating package for beverage containers and the like which is characterized by a low initial cost so that the package can be discarded when the containers have been emptied.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel refrigerating package for beverage containers and the like which serves as both a carrier for the containers and a refrigerating package, is simple in construction, and attractive in outer appearance, which may be constructed in a wide range of sizes so as to accommodate a selected number of articles of various shapes, and which lends itself readily as a means for advertising the manufacturer of the packaged articles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel refrigerating package for beverage con tainers and the like which may be maintained under refrigeration in display counters and which may be easily filled with ice or other refrigerating medium by the vendor or by the purchaser without disturbing the containers in the package and then readily transported with the containers in a refrigerated condition to the point of consumption using, if desired, novel carrying means provided a with the package.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The objects stated above and other related objects in this invention are accomplished by providing a refrigerating package which includes a tubular body member arranged to receive articles such as beverage containers and waterproof bottom wall.

body member is composed of a substantially waterproof the like which are to be refrigerated. The body member is preferably formed of a multi-ply spirally wound paper tube which is closed at one end with a rigid substantially The inner wall of the tubular material and a removable tubular spacer is centrally positioned within the body member for positioning the articles to be refrigerated in the annular space between the spacer and the body member inner wall. This tubular spacer can be removed and the central cavity remaining filled with a refrigerating medium such as ice to refrigerate the articles within the body member. A removable closure formed from substantially waterproof material is also provided for the open end of the body member so that a unitary package containing articles under refrigeration is provided. The package of the invention is also provided with novel carrying means which, when used,

- additionally maintain the closure in the end closing position.

' package constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along 1ine4-4 of FIGURE 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is an isometric exploded view of a modification of the refrigerating package of the invention -filled with articles to be refrigerated; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 5 in the direction of the arrows. Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGURES 1 through 4, there is shown a refrigerating package constructed in accordance with the invention which is designated generally by the numeral 10.

As generally illustrative of the invention, the package 10 comprises a tubular body member designated generally by the numeral 11 having an open end 12 which is arranged to be closed by a closure 13. The package 10 is arranged to receive through its open end 12 articles such as cylindrical beverage containers 14 positioned therein as shown in FIGURE 3 which are to be maintained in a refrigerated condition until consumption of their contents at the point of use. These containers 14 are maintained in the illustrated packaged condition within the package by means of a removable tubular spacer 16.

As specifically illustrative of the invention, the tubular body member 11 includes a wound paper tube 17 which is preferably formed by spirally winding a plurality of paper plies with a suitable adhesive therebetween to thereby produce a helical seam 18. One end of the paper tube 17 is closed by means of a bottom Wall 19 which is seamed'at 21 to the end edge of the paper tube 17 as shown best in FIGURE 2. The bottom wall 19 is formed from substantially waterproof material and,

three overlying paper plies 22. It should be understood a substantially waterproof inner wall.

that any number and type of paper plies 22 may be employed within the scope of the invention.

In order to prevent or substantially eliminate the transmission of water and other liquids from the interior of the package through the wall of the paper tube 17, the paper tube 17 is provided with an inner wall or ply of substantially waterproof material. More specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall of the tube 17 comprises a ply 23 of a relatively thin aluminum foil which substantially prevents the transmission of water from the interior of the package 10 into the side wall of paper tube 17. Preferably, this layer of aluminum foil 23 is first secured by adhesives or the like to the paper strip forming the inner ply 22 and in the winding of the paper tube 17, therefore, the aluminum foil covered ply 22 is wound together with the other plies to therefore provide a paper tube having It should be understood that although aluminum foil has been shown as one desirable type of material for providing a substantially waterproof inner wall on the paper tube 17, other materials may be used such as wax paper or similar waterproof paper and the like.

An outer ply 24 is also preferably provided as shown in FIGURE 4 on the paper tube 17 which is a thin paper 7 ply that can be printed with selected advertising matter, the manufacturers label, identifying marks and the like with the result that the packaged goods may be identified both as to their source and type.

The'open end 12 of the paper tube 17 through which the articles 14 are inserted within the package 10 is arranged to be closed by the closure member 13 which is provided with an upstanding annular flange 26 so as to fit snugly within the package open end. The closure flange 26 is provided with an annular lip or bead 27 which limits the inward movement of the closure 13 into the paper tube 17. The closure 13 is formed of substantially waterproof material such as sheet metal to prevent the leakage of water out of the package 10.

As previously described, the package 10 is constructed so that the cylindrical articles 14 can be readily accommodated within the package in a neat circular row as shown in FIGURE 3 and thereby define a central space 28 in the paper tube 17. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the package 10 is arranged to accommodate six of the articles 14.

In order to maintain the articles 14 in the illustrated position within the package 10 and keep the central space 28 clear for the reception of refrigerating material such as ice or the like, the tubular spacer 16 is provided which is of a diameter so as to be readily positioned within the central space 28 and thereby maintain the articles 14 between the spacer 16 and the inner wall of the paper tube 17 in the spaced relationship shown. The tubular spacer 16 is preferably formed of inexpensive paper material preferably spirally wound and is of a length so as to be neatly accommodated between the package bottom wall 19 and the closure 13 in the package closing position as shown in FIGURE 2.

In order to maintain the closure 13 in the end closing position of FIGURE 2 and to additionally serve as a means for carrying the package 10, carrying means are provided for the package 10 as shown in FIGURE 2. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the carrying means comprise a loop 31 of flexible material or string. The string 31 is looped as shown and knotted at 31a to provide an enlargement at one end. An opening 32 is provided in the side wall of the paper tube 17 adjacent the Open end 12 and a similar opening 33 is provided in the closure 13 adjacent to the tube opening 32. The loop 31 is inserted through openings 32, 33 until the knot 31a engages the closure 13 and the loop 31 extends laterally outward from the side of the package 10. The package 10 when filled may then be lifted by means of the loop 31 and the knot 31a prevents the string from slipping through the openings 32, 33. At the same time the knot urges and maintains the closure 13 into the end closing position of FIGURE 2.

Although the package 10 may be filled with beverage containers 14 by the consumer, it is contemplated that the manufacturer of the beverage will sell the package already packed with a plurality of the containers so that the consumer receives the package 10 with the purchase of the beverage containers 14. The package It would, therefore, be filled by the manufacturer by positioning the articles or containers 14 in the position shown in FIGURE 3 and the spacer 16 positioned, as shown, to maintain the containers in the proper position. The closure 13 may then be positioned in the package closing position of FIGURE 2 and the loop 31 inserted.

The filled package 10 may then be positioned within a refrigerated display case or the like so as to maintain the beverage within the containers 14 in the refrigerated condition until purchase. Upon purchase, the spacer tube 16 is discarded and the cavity 28 filled with ice by either the merchant or by the purchaser and the closure 13 replaced. By means of the ice within cavity 23, the containers 14 are refrigerated or maintained in the refrigerated condition and the package 10 may be transported freely to the point of use awaiting consumption while the beverage within the containers 14 is maintained in the refrigerated condition for relatively long periods of time.

The melting of the ice within the package 10 will create water but the substantially moisture proof liner 23 together with the substantially waterproof material of the closure 13 and bottom wall 19 will substantially eliminate any leakage of the package 10 for an extended period of time. After the articles 14 have been removed, the package 10 can be discarded so as to dispense with the burdensome problem of transporting the package back to its storage area in the home or the like until the next time of use.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 there is shown a modification of the refrigerating package of FIGURES 14 wherein the package has been lengthened to increase it capacity for holding the cylindrical articles 14. Like numerals have been used to identify like parts.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the package designated generally by the numeral 50 includes a paper tube 51 which although of the same construction is approximately twice the length of package 10 so as to accommodate a plurality of stacked rows of circularly arranged containers 14. Thus, in the modification of FIGURES 5, 6 the total number of articles contained within the package 56 are twelve with the articles stacked vertically in pairs as shown. A tubular spacer 52 is also provided which corresponds in length to the extended length of the paper tube 51 and nests snugly as shown in FIGURE 6 between the package bottom wall 19 and the top closure 13. As in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the spacer tube 52 is removed for filling the package 50 with ice, as previously described, and when the closure 13 has been placed in the end closing position of FIGURE 6, the string 31 is utilized to carry the refrigerating package containing the articles 14 to the point of use.

With the novel construction of this invention, there has been provided an unusually inexpensive and simple package which can be used as a carrier for articles from manufacturer to consumer and, in addition, can be filled with a refrigenating medium so that the articles such as beverage containers can be refrigerated for relatively long periods prior to consumption of the beverage in the containers. As a result of the low initial cost of the refrigerating package of the invention, the package can be discarded after one use. One of the most outstanding features of the invention is the elimination of the need for insulated chests and the like for refrigerating beverage containers and their attendant high initial cost and short life. Furthermore, the refrigerating package of the invention may be readily displayed in refrigerated display cases and the like, until purchased, serving as an advertisement for the manufacturers products and the containers can be maintained in a refrigerated condition by adding a refrigerating medium such as ice to the package when the package is removed from the display case.

While there has been described What is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is the aim of the appended claims t-o cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A refrigerating package for a plurality of cylindrical articles comprising, in combination, a spirally Wound, multi-ply, cylindrical tubular body member having an open end for receiving articles to be refrigerated, said body member having an inner wall composed of substantially water-proof material, a bottom Wall on the other end of said body member, a cylindrical tubular spacer of fibrous material centrally positioned within said body member in freely removable relationship therewith for retaining said articles in a circular row between said spacer and said body member inner wall whereby said spacer can be removed to leave a central cavity for refrigerating material such as ice, and a removable closure for closing said body member open end.

2. A refrigerating package in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner Wall of said body member is aluminum foil.

3. A refrigerating package for a plurality of cylindrical articles comprising, in combination, a spirally Wound, multi-ply cylindrical paper tube having an open end for receiving articles to be refrigerated, said paper tube having an inner wall composed of substantially waterproof material, a bottom wall of rigid, waterproof material secured in closing relationship with the other end of said tube, a tubular cylindrical paper spacer centrally positioned within said paper tube in freely removable relationship therewith for retaining said articles in a circular row between said spaced and said paper tube inner wall whereby said spacer can be removed to leave a central cavity for refrigerating material such as ice, a removable closure of rigid Waterproof material for closing said paper tube open end, an opening in said paper tube adjacent said open end, an opening in said closure adjacent said paper tube opening, a loop of flexible material arranged to be looped through said openings to extend outwardly from said paper tube thereby providing a handle for said package, an enlargement in the inner end of said loop for limiting said outward extension of said loop and thereby maintain said closure in said end closing position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 12,941 4/09 Lehmann 229-52 225,978 3/80 Goodnow.

1,515,277 11/24 Root 229-52 X 1,548,760 8/25 Shook 62-297 1,613,514 1/27 Howells 62-297 1,747,980 2/ 30 Kondolf. 2,561,488 7/51 Barker 229-52 X 2,562,108 7/51 Lutz 62-457 X 2,800,267 7/57 ONeil 229-51 2,844,299 7/58 Ressler et al. 2,891,714 6/59 Vallas 229-51 2,901,162 8/59 Vallas 229- X FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

Examiners. 

1. A REFRIGERATING PACKAGE FOR A PLURALITY OF CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SPIRALLY WOUND, MULTI-PLY, CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR BODY MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN END FOR RECEIVING ARTICLES TO BE REFRIGERATED, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING AN INNER WALL COMPOSED OF SUBSTANTIALLY WATER-PROOF MATERIAL, A BOTTOM WALL ON THE OTHER END OF SAID BODY MEMBER, A CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR SPACER OF FIBROUS MATERIAL CENTRALLY POSITIONED WITHIN SAID BODY MEMBER IN FREELY REMOVABLE RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH FOR RETAINING SAID ARTICLES IN A CIRCULAR ROW BETWEEN SAID SPACER AND SAID BODY MEMBER INNER WALL WHEREBY SAID SPACER CAN BE REMOVED TO LEAVE A CENTRAL CAVITY FOR REFRIGERATING MATERIAL SUCH AS ICE, AND A REMOVABLE CLOSURE FOR CLOSING SAID BODY MEMBER OPEN END. 